While Marvel Studios have switched actors before, they can't just simply recast Chris Pratt as Star-Lord in the MCU. A social media petition has been launched and is growing regarding the matter. Although there was no proper reason given, a group of fans continue to advocate that Pratt be replaced with Patrick Wilson given their similar physical features, although others argue that it can be anyone else, just as long as the Parks and Recreation alum no longer plays Guardians of the Galaxy's Peter Quill. 

Pratt has been in the MCU since 2014 which was when James Gunn's original Guardians of the Galaxy film came out. Before then, he was best known for playing Andy Dwyer in the sitcom Parks and Recreation. However, since joining the MCU, he has successfully transitioned to making films appearing in movies like The Magnificent Seven and Passengers, not to mention spearheading the Jurassic World series. Within the MCU, Pratt has played Star-Lord several after his introduction. He reprised his role as Star-Lord in 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, and 2019's Avengers: Endgame. Now, he's slated to appear in this year's Thor: Love and Thunder and 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Even so, a group of MCU fans is hoping that neither of those will happen. 

Related: Guardians Of The Galaxy 3'S Best Surprise Cameos Were Setup In Vol. 1

Unfortunately for those who are demanding that Pratt be recast in the MCU, regardless of the reason, Marvel Studios can't really heed their request. Granted that the franchise has seen actor switches before when Don Cheadle replaced Terrence Howard as War Machine and Mark Ruffalo took over the Hulk from Edward Norton, things are quite different with Pratt. For starters, Pratt has been playing Star-Lord for eight years now across four films. While not as synonymous with Quill as Robert Downey Jr. with Iron Man, Pratt is firmly associated with being the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. It's worth noting that when War Machine and the Hulk were recast, their original actors barely made the roles their own. Howard, in particular, hadn't even become War Machine yet, as Rhodey only assumed his superhero persona in Iron Man 2.

Groot protects the other Guardians with his body

Aside from that, recasting Star-Lord can also significantly change the dynamic of the Guardians of the Galaxy overall. Granted that Marvel Studios can bring in Wilson or anyone else that looks like Pratt to play Quill moving forward, it would still be difficult to replicate Pratt's chemistry with the rest of the cast — and that's very important considering the fact that the Guardians of the Galaxy is a unit. Every member has their respective strengths and they go off on mini solo adventures, but unlike the Avengers, the cosmic team has always operated as a group. No doubt, the dynamic among the members is very important. Pratt's comedic sense and timing play a big part in the Guardians of the Galaxy's success; it's too big of a risk to swap him out this late in the game. 

In any case, James Gunn already shot down the recast Pratt movement. The director stands by the actor and says that if Marvel Studios recasts Star-Lord, the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy team will go with him. In any case, considering the fact that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will end the original cosmic team's story, supporters of this campaign may not have to wait long for Pratt to exit the MCU.

More: Why So Many People Dislike Chris Pratt & Want Star-Lord Recast

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